BARISAL, Sept 16 (UNB): Pirates looted cash and goods worth Tk 5 million from some 80 fishing trawlers in the estuary of Meghna river off Bhola, leaving over 100 crew and fishermen injured and two missing. Many of the injured crew and fishermen were thrown into the river and later rescued by the fishermen of other boats. Victims said five notorious gangs led by Bashar of Jainal speaker Bahini, Shakha of Alauddin Bahini, and Bachchu of Bachchu Bahini coming in 15 speedy trawlers started simultaneous attacks in Mowlavir Char, Kewrar Char, Char Tazammul and other remote Char areas under Tazumuddin police station. They continued their looting spree from Thursday night to Friday morning. Victims alleged the miscreants decamped with the booties in their trawlers towards Hatiya. The victim trawlers and their crew and fishermen mostly came from Munshiganj, Chandpur, Shariatpur and Bhola districts. Two fishermen--Isahaq, 35, and Sirajul Islam, 31, thrown into the river after being injured--remained missing till writing of this report. All the injured were receiving treatment secretly to avoid intimidation by the pirates and harassment by the police. As a result, till writing this report no case was lodged with the police in connection with the piracy.
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